Record Store Day: David Bowie, Johnny Cash and Motorhead top list of exclusive releases

Gary Welford

Record collectors around the UK and beyond are going into meltdown after the latest list of Record Store Day releases was published.

More than 250 labels are set to release limited edition records for the 9th annual Record Store Day (RSD) on Saturday, April 16.

David Bowie is one of the classic artists whose releases will be much sought-after on RSD 2016.

Exclusive vinyl releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day, which also features special in-store performances by artists.

There's everything from long-sought after reissues to comedy classics, and special one-off recordings, catering for tastes both old and new and fans of all ages.

From David Bowie to Metallica, and Cavern of Anti-Matter to The Small Faces, there is something for all music fans to enjoy.

GET THE FULL LIST OF RSD 2016 RELEASES HERELabels are putting new music at the forefront of this year's offerings, with new material from artists such as Foals, Primal Scream and Bastille making the list of releases.

Johnny Cash fans will be well catered for on RSD 2016.

Four out of 5 releases come from independent labels; making it one of the most eclectic and interesting RSD lists to date.

Rupert Morrison, one of the UK's RSD co-ordinators, said: "Record Store Day is about embracing all the music that finds its way into independent record shops.

"The 2016 collection is another fine example of the amazing independent music makers and recording companies who so brilliantly support us independent shops on Record Store Day and all year round.”

Major label acts also add weight to the Record Store Day list and among the releases this year which might appeal to a younger generation of vinyl fans are acts such as James Bay, Florence and the Machine and Hozier.

Motorhead fans will be looking to snap up this lovely green vinyl version of their latest album.

The original idea for Record Store Day was conceived by Chris Brown, and founded in 2007 as a celebration of the unique culture surrounding more than 700 independently-owned record stores in the USA, and hundreds of similar stores internationally.

The UK quickly followed suit and RSD - celebrated annually on the third Saturday in April - has become one of the biggest annual events on the music calendar.

In the UK, RSD is coordinated by the Entertainment Retailers Association and a group of independent record stores including Alan Jordan from Reflex in Newcastle.

This year, BBC Music is partnering with Record Store Day UK as the event gears up for its celebration of independent stores and the vinyl format.

Special programming will take place across the BBC’s radio networks, and in particular on BBC Radio 6 Music.

In the run up to Record Store Day, on his 6 Music show Steve Lamacq (Mon to Fri, 4-7pm) will be speaking to different record stores around the UK, revealing what events are taking place on the day.

It is expected that more than 25,000 music fans will be going along to their local record shops from the early hours of the big day.

Also on 6 Music, Sunderland-born DJ Lauren Laverne’s show (10am-1pm) will be broadcasting live from a record store on Friday, April 15.

The station will also be uploading to the BBC Music App a series of curated playlists from five independent record stores across the country, showcasing a selection of some of their favourite tracks available.